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Attention: Central Lane and Oakridge Justice Courts

The Central Lane Justice Court and Oakridge Justice Court have merged with the Florence Justice Court, which is now simply called Lane County Justice Court

Contact the Lane County Justice Court in Florence for assistance with Central court cases.

Mission

The Mission of the Justice Court is to provide fair and equal access to court services for local citizens such as impartial adjudication of traffic, civil, County violations, animal regulation and small claims cases in a neutral environment.

Under the provisions of Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapters 51, 52, and 153, the Lane County Justice Court is responsible for the adjudication of violations and misdemeanors filed as violations of traffic, truck-overload, truancy, civil complaints, Lane County Code violations (such as animal regulation, parks, Lane ESD, and waste management complaints) and related post-adjudicative processes.

Court Etiquette

Arrive early

Be polite and courteous to the Judge, to all court personnel, and those around you.

Cellular phones and pagers must be muted or turned off. Recording equipment is not allowed.

Dress appropriately - suitable attire is required: Shoes and shirts must be worn. No shorts, tank tops, or excessively soiled, damaged, or ill-fitting clothing is allowed in the courtroom. Remove hats upon entering the courtroom.

No smoking, food, drink or gum are allowed in the courtroom.

Children may be present in the courtroom; however, if they disturb the proceedings, please remove them from the courtroom. The Court does not provide child care services.

Weapons are prohibited in the courtroom, and the building.

Payment Information

Payments are recommended to be made by check, credit/debit card or money order. Suspensions paid by money order or credit/debit cards are cleared immediately.

Important: You CANNOT file paperwork or make pleas by emailing to the webmaster or justice courts, and these types of contacts DO NOT constitute an appearance by a defendant OR a written explanation. You must contact the specific court in writing through standard mail, or appear in court.

Lane County Circuit Court

The Justice Court is not a part of the Lane County Circuit Court, which is housed in the county's courthouse and operated by the State of Oregon Judicial Department. For information about the Circuit Court, call the state court offices at 541-682-4020 or visit their web site atwww.ojd.state.or.us.

Important: You CANNOT file paperwork or make pleas by emailing to the webmaster or justice courts, and these types of contacts DO NOT constitute an appearance by a defendant OR a written explanation. You must contact the specific court in writing through standard mail, or appear in court.

Definitions

Citation/Complaint: May also be referred to as a Uniform Citation and Complaint (UCC). This is an official summons and formal charging instrument issued by a legal authority to appear before a magistrate or a judge at a later time.

Appearance: When a defendant answers or responds to a matter pending before the court and the results of that appearance. An appearance may be in person, by mail or by fax.

Hearings: A session to decide a fact or a law. It is a proceeding where evidence is considered to determine the facts and to render decisions based on that evidence.

Trial: The determination of a person's guilt or innocence by due process of law. At a trial, a representative from law enforcement and the defendant will appear before the court. Trials may be held before a judge, a jury (civil cases only), or by a sworn affidavit.

Sentence: The judgment formally imposed by the judge upon the defendant after conviction, usually in the form of a fine, incarceration or probation.

Payment agreement: Negotiated or assigned agreement between the defendant and Court to pay financial obligations.

Failure to appear: A defendant's failure to answer as ordered by the court.

Guilty by default: When a defendant does not appear/answer as ordered by the Court.

Warrant: A written order of court which commands a law enforcement officer to arrest a person and bring the person before the court.

Suspension: Court order that withholds the defendant's driving privileges.

Contempt: The process where a new charge of contempt of court is filed due to a defendant's failure to appear or failure to comply with conditions of a sentence (e.g., failure to attend court ordered traffic school).

Show Cause: An order requiring the defendant to appear in court to answer allegations of failure to pay monetary obligations or failure to comply with conditions of a sentence or deferred prosecution, diversion or probation.

Appeal: A request for review of a case or particular issue to a higher court (Circuit Court) for review and possible reversal.

Fees: Monetary amount assessed on each fine or forfeiture amount and mandated by state law or agency policy. Priority of collection, distribution, waivers and adjustments of fines and fees are also governed by state law, city or county ordinance, agency policy or judge's ruling.

Financial Judgment: The court's determination of monetary obligation of the defendant which includes fines and fees.

NSF Checks: Checks returned by the bank due to insufficient funds, closed accounts, or stop payment orders.

Garnishments: Claims on property or money held by a third party in order to satisfy a debt.

Small Claim/Civil: A legal process to expeditiously adjudicate claims that seek damages below a specified amount as set by statute. Effective October 1, 2011, that amount is $10,000 or below.

Civil Eviction (FED): The process of legally dispossessing a person of land or rental property.

Note: Suspended License

Please note: If your license has been suspended for failing to pay your fine it is the court's procedure is to mail the license clearance to the DMV headquarters in Salem, Oregon. We cannot guarantee when your clearance will be received and processed by the DMV. If your license is due to be suspended soon (or if it is already suspended) and you need a clearance immediately, you may come to the court Tuesday - Thursday between 9:00 am to 1:00 pm to pick up a copy of your clearance to take directly to a local DMV office.